As the name of this duo implies, Bruno van Hoek and Elly Beurskens play their music – straight, clean and simple – from the heart, using their voices and the stringed instruments that are so typical for old-time country and bluegrass: banjo, dobro, mandolin, and guitar.

Both had been very active in different bands for quite a few years, when they met in the Amsterdam folk scene and discovered their mutual passion for honest acoustic music. Between 1986 and 1995 they joined French champion guitar player Jean-Paul Piquard in the successful country-folk trio Reckless Fingers, winning the Dutch Country Music Association’s award for ‘Best Acoustic Group’ for six years in a row, and bringing out two albums (‘The New Land’ in 1988 and ‘Below Sea Level’ in 1992).

After the group split up, Bruno and Elly went on as a duo, playing songs and instrumentals in the traditional duet-style of for instance the Louvin Brothers and the Lilly Brothers. Contemporary compositions are part of their repertoire as well, but are interpreted in such a way as to fit into their overall traditional style. The focus is on the harmony vocals, their inventive handling of the stringed instruments, variation in the choice of songs, and a sober but tasteful approach to the American country tradition. In 1998 their CD ‘True Companions’ was released, featuring Holland’s top bluegrass singer Theo Lissenberg on vocals, guitar and old-time banjo.

Bruno writes most of the duo’s instrumental tunes, combining the traditional bluegrass style with more modern influences and a fair amount of ‘wild ideas’. He is an experienced sound engineer and music teacher, teaching bluegrass banjo, mandolin and guitar. He also does workshops on these instruments, as well as on PA-handling for acoustic musicians.

Elly has been an accomplished singer/songwriter for many years. Her songs appear on all the duo’s albums, and some are played and have been recorded by various Dutch musicians. She also does workshops on songwriting.

Apart from being ‘regulars’ in the Dutch folk-, country- and bluegrass scene, Heartstrings have appeared on stages in Germany, Denmark and the USA, and are regular and well-loved guests in British folk clubs.

Bruno van Hoek banjo, mandolin, dobro, guitar, vocals
Elly Beurskens guitar, clawhammer banjo, vocals